ShareNAR filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission on Monday July 17 urging the agency to maintain the Open Internet Order that was put into effect in 2015. This order creates rules establishing network neutrality. The FCC has proposed rolling back those rules and is currently seeking public comment.
Net neutrality is shorthand for the concept that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. More specifically, net neutrality requires that broadband networks be free of restrictions on content, sites, or platforms. Networks should not restrict the equipment that may be attached to them, nor the modes of communication allowed on them. Finally, networks should ensure that communication is not unreasonably degraded by other communication streams.
- Net neutrality is important to small, main street businesses like REALTORS® who depend on open internet access every day to run their businesses and serve their customers.
- NAR supports net neutrality and urges Congress to oppose legislation that would threaten the current FCC Open Internet Rule and rollback the important protections put in place by the FCC in 2015.